§ 10-8. Keeping of animals.

(a)

Restrictions. It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to own, harbor or keep any dog or cat which:

(1)

Habitually pursues any vehicle upon any public street, alley or highway in the city.

(2)

Assaults or attacks any person as described in subsection (b) of this section or destroys property.

(3)

Is at large within the limits of the city.

(4)

Habitually barks or howls to the annoyance of any person or persons.

(5)

Kills, wounds or worries any domestic animal.

(6)

Is known by such person to be infected with rabies or to have been bitten by an animal known to have been infected with rabies.

(7)

In the case of a dog, is unlicensed.

(b)

Vicious dogs and animals.

(1)

No vicious dog shall be allowed off the premises of its owner unless muzzled or on a leash in charge of the owner or a member of the owner's immediate family over 16 years of age. For purposes of enforcing this section, a dog shall be deemed as being of a vicious disposition if, within any 12-month period it bites two or more persons or inflicts serious injury to one person in unprovoked circumstances off the owner's premises.

(2)

No person shall harbor or permit to remain on his premises any animal that is habitually inclined toward attacking persons or animals, destroying property, barking excessively or making excessive noises or running after automobiles.

(c)

Animals running at large.

(1)

No person having in his possession or ownership any animal or fowl shall allow the same to run at large within the city. The owner of any animal, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall keep his animal tied or enclosed in a proper enclosure so as not to allow such animal to interfere with the passing public or neighbors. Any animal running at large unlicensed and required by law or ordinance to be licensed shall be seized and impounded by an animal control or law enforcement officer.

(2)

A dog or cat shall not be considered to be running at large if it is on a leash and under control of a person physically able to control it or is trained and in the immediate company of a person to which it immediately responds and obeys (e.g., a dog playing a game of fetch in a field, or walking alongside its owner or a member of the owner's immediate family) if such person is over the age of 12 years.

(d)

Owner's liability for damage caused by dogs; penalties. The provisions of Wis. Stats. § 174.02, relating to the owner's liability for damage caused by dogs together with the penalties therein set forth are adopted and incorporated in this section by reference.

(Code 1994, § 7-1-6)